Start a delivery-only fast food kitchen
Cook a focused fast food menu in a rented shared kitchen and sell it through delivery apps and your own site.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A fast food brand with no dining area or shopfront. You rent space in a shared or commercial kitchen and sell a small menu for delivery or collection.
Your first three steps
- Choose a narrow menu that travels well and cost every dish including packaging
- Compare shared kitchen rental prices and terms near you, and complete a food hygiene course
- Register the food business with the council and set up listings on delivery apps with good photos
Who pays
Households and office workers ordering food for delivery through apps or your own website.
How it makes money
Sales of meals at menu prices, minus app commission, packaging, ingredients and kitchen rental. A tight menu keeps waste and prep time down.
Skills that help
- Cooking to a consistent standard
- Menu costing
- Online listings and photos
- Handling reviews and order problems
Watch out for
- Food business registration with the council for the kitchen you use, check who needs to register
- Allergen information on online menus and packaging
- Delivery app commission and fees, which can leave thin margins
- Reliance on a few platforms and their rules and ratings
- Kitchen rental contract length and shared-space rules
- Public liability insurance and product liability cover, check what the kitchen provider requires
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: delivery-only fast food kitchen
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a delivery-only food business?
Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the kitchen rental terms, equipment, packaging and how much you spend on your online listings. These are estimates, so cost your own menu and setup.
How much can a delivery-only kitchen earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your menu, order volumes and prices. Delivery app commission and fees can leave thin margins, so work out costs carefully before you launch.
What should I check before starting a delivery kitchen?
Check food business registration with the council for the kitchen you use, and who needs to register. Also check allergen information on menus and packaging, the kitchen contract length, shared-space rules and what insurance the kitchen provider requires.
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